With a record 3.6 million tourist arrivals to Israel in 2017, Levin said he believed the construction of thousands of new rooms would enable tourism numbers to rise even further.
“I am convinced that, with the momentum in hotel construction and the increase in incoming tourism, we will continue to see prosperity in the tourism industry,” Levin said.
The tourism ministry’s investment center approved approved grants to entrepreneurs worth some NIS 180 million in 2017 that are expected to boost the the number of hotel rooms in Israel by approximately 2,570 rooms.
The 2017 grants were allocated for the establishment, expansion and conversion of 35 hotels throughout the country. The largest grant (NIS 35 million) was for the preservation and construction of a budget hotel in Jerusalem, which will include 248 rooms. In total, grants were approved in Jerusalem for 5 projects, which will include 482 rooms. In addition, a new luxury hotel will be built in Netanya with 356 rooms. Rishon LeZion is also planning to build a 240-room hotel, while a holiday village in Sde Boker will be expanded by a further 42 rooms. In Be’er Sheva, a luxury boutique hotel with 50 rooms will be built, two conversion projects are planned for Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea, and a luxury 275-room suite hotel will be built in Bat Yam.